Chelsea's André Villas-Boas believes youth football in England would be aided by B teams playing in the Championship. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PA

Not content with Chelsea taking on Manchester United at the sharp end of the Premier League, André Villas-Boas wants to see the best of the English game challenging at the top of the Championship as well. Chelsea's manager believes youth football in England is due a revolution, and the best way to produce the highest-calibre talent is for top clubs to have a B team to compete outside the Premier League, as is the case in Spain.

"I was always of the opinion that the youth competitions should be differently organised in England," he said. "B sides could be a good option in England – a Chelsea B and a Man United B – and these teams should be able to play.

"I know it collides pretty much against the culture of British football and the defence of the historic principles of British football, but I think these teams should allowed to play up to Championship level. The reserve league is not as important for it to be the step below the first team. It is not the level it should be."

Reserve team football has become a wasteland and serves minimal useful purpose to England's high and mighty, who prefer to loan out young prospects or established players who are on the periphery, as a better option for those who need game time they are unlikely to get inhouse.

The potential value of the idea is exemplified by Barcelona B. Lionel Messi, Xavi and Carles Puyol head a list of luminaries who have all spent time with the B team. Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique have both been manager of the side. Although promotion to the top division is not allowed, last season Barcelona B finished third in the second tier of Spanish football.

"I think a reorganisation of the structures of youth competitions would be better," Villas-Boas said. "Each age group from eight-year-olds to 18-year-olds, like in Europe, like in Spain, like in Portugal, like in France, should always have two squads, one squad always competing at national level and other squad competing in regional level.

"These squads should be built like a normal first-team squad of 22 players, with one age group being one year younger – those who play in the regional leagues – and the other group one year older – those who play in the national leagues.

"In the end, competition promotes talent and I think it would be for the benefit of English football."